Railway-signaling system



Oct. 28, 1930. P. B. HYDE RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVNTOR. Par/FB/{yde BY Wm A TTORNE vs.

Oct. 28, 1930. HYDE 1,779,672

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 20. 1929 PIE. 1-.

Fl-E E INVENTOR: Pa r/IB. 1'yde ATTOR EYS.

r trackzfi'om aidiflerentdirection. It

and "another train Patented Oct. 28, 1930 y mes 15mm,p i momcs 1 i RK B.- nrnnor O K ND, oALrroRNIA, ASSIGNOR To'NATIoNAL RAILWA SIGNAL 3 e g oonmngor RENO, E ADA, A CORPORATION on NEVADA njAmwAlYrsIeNA mssYsrnM 1 with-highway crossings, accidents are a frequent 'occurrenceidue to .the fact thationly a single indication is employedto warn of the approach of trains, regardless of the number of trains.

crossing on one track and believe that" the crossing: s safe, while in reality another'unobserved tra1n-1s approaching on the other happenfthania' trainlwhich has: just cleared the crossing obstructs the View of the" other track uponwhich another train is approachingin a different d1rect10n, thus misleading one to believe thatthe crossing is safe. Thus even though the crossing signalmay'be operatlng properly, it maysnot give warmng that anattempted crossing is dangerous.

It isan object of'this mventionto devise a signaling: system of -the above character which will give aidequate warningat a'highway crossing over railway tracks.

' Itiis .a further objectof this invention to devise a railway signalingsyste1n0t this 7 1 character which will (affect one indication at a crossing upon the-approach of a single train, and will give another dilier-ent indication when two or more trains are approaching. 7 g L It is-a further object offthis invention to devise arailway signaling system which will make possible a separate characteristic indication at a'crossingwhenonetrain has just cleared the crossing but is adjacent thereto is approaching'the cross- It is a further object of thiszinventionto devise a signaling sys'tenrwhich will effect a characteristic indication when'two'or more trains are approaching towards acrossing,

and which is provided with means whereby theindication is continued after being'set in operation until thelast oftwo or'more trains have cleared the operating zone:

5 It: is,a further: object .ofithis-invention to electrical circuits v ation of highway signals.

For example a person is approaching upon the. highway may see"; a

train standmg'or moving slowly toward the may also modified form of system. 1

The preterred embodiments of inven- .tion shown in the drawing can be described.

way; 10 crosses Application filed 'F e'brii'ary 20, 1929. Serial N0. :341 ,3 75.

devise a'novel and-effective arrangement of forthe control and oper- Further -ohjects'of the invention Willfap pearfrom the following description in which Ihave' set forth the preferred embodiments understoodthat of my invention. it is to be the appended claims are to be'accorded'a rangeof equivalents consistent with the state of the prior art. j

Referring to thedrawing: Figure A l is a perspective "View illustrating mysignaling systemapplied to a railway;

crossing. I p

Fig. :2 is a side elevational view ofsignal d vices which can be utilized in my system. ;,Fig. I 3 is a "front viewf'ot the signal devices'shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. is acircuit diagram illustrating' one form of the circuit connections incorporating the system-of invention I F1g.:5-1s a circuitdiagram"illustrating a in detail as follows In lthere is shown atypical railway crossing in which'the higha plurality of parallel tracks 1-1 and '12.: 'Arranged at+or-near-the naling devices '13 and 14, these'devicesfbe ing suitably mounted'as by means oi -posts 16. Generally duplicate signaling devices are provided uponeach side-'ofthe cros'sing as shown, so that their effectiveness is not precluded by obstructiono'fthe track. As has been proviously 'mentione'chin my system I utilize two distinct;indicat-ions and the signaling devices '13 and 14 provide 'convenient means for effecting this-result. By indication I have reference teany effective warning such as can be produced by a sound ingdevice,- or ample inrFig's. 2 and-3 I have'shown a signaling device 13 consisting of'an electric lamp 1 7 in iconjunctioniwith an electr'ie'algong. Lamp 17 is positioned behinda suitable cola ored stencil 19 lettered to read Two trains.

crossing so as to attract the'attention of-personsiap- *proaclnngalongthe high-way, :aieth'e sigby a visual display. For eX- I device 13. While devices of this character are satisfactory for producing two distinct indications, it is obvious that the indications can be otherwise produced and characterized. For example one indication may be a light while theother is a sound, different sounds can be employed, or an illuminated or sound indication can be employed together with a waving or recurrently moving display.

Referring now to Fig. 4, I prefer to provide electrical means for controlling and actuating the signal devices 13 and 14. Thus I have shown each of the tracks 11 and 12 divided into a plurality of zones in the vicinity of the crossing. Zone A'of each track is positioned a sutficient distance from the crossing to provide an adequate lapse. of time from the instant a train enters this zone to, the time it passes over the crossing, and each zone terminates just beyond the crossing. A second zone B is'provided for each track, this zone being preferably of lesser extent than zone Aand being in position to be transversed by a train after zone A has been cleared. As is common practice in railway signaling systems, these zones can be-formed by including the rails of the track in an electrical circuit,

the ends of the rails corresponding to the ends of the zonesfbemg insulated from the adjoining rails as indicated at 21.-

. 'The control circuit and associatedrelays which I have employed in conjunction with the above zones, can be described in detail'as follows: The rails of zone A of track 11 are connected to thewinding of a relay 22, while the corresponding rails of track 12 are connected to the windings of a relay 23.. The

' rails of zoneB of track 11 are connected to r sponding the winding of a relay 26, while the corre rails of track 12 are connected to the winding of a relay 27. Batteries 28 are connected across the rails of the difierent zones for energizing the windings of these relays, and when these batteries are shorted by the wheels and trucks of a train, the corresponding relay is deenergized to drop its armature. For convenience'I have shown de-,'

vices 13 and also devices 14 connected together in parallel. Thus conductors 31 and 32 serve to connect in parallel devices '13, while conductors 33 and 34 similarly connect together devices 14. A local source of current, such asbattery 36 has its one terminal connected to conductor 34 by way'of wire or conductor 37, and also to conductor, 32 by way of conductor 38.' I v i The contacts of. relays 22, 23, 26 and 27 are interrelated to effect the desired mode of operation which will be presently described.

Thus armatures 41 and 42 of relays 22 and 26 are connected together and to conductor 43, while conductor 43 connects together con-' tacts 44and46of-relays 23 and'27 respectively. Armatures 47 and 48 of relays 23 and 27 respectively are both connected to conductor 49, which in turn is connected to conductor 31 interconnecting devices 13. Relay 22 is preferably provided with anauxiliary' conductor 58.. Contacts 59 and 61 of relays 22 and 26 respectively are also both connected to conductor 57. i

To explain'the mode of operation of the arrangement shown infFig. 4, it will be lpresumed that a train is approaching the crossing on track 11 and that itis entering zoneA.

Since the rails of the track are sho'rtcircuited, relay 22 is deenergized to drop its armature 41 and close contact 59. Likewise armature 51 is dropped to close contact 52. An I V energizing circuit is thereby completed from battery 36 to device 14, which canbe traced as :follows: from. battery v36,conductor 37, thrudevices 14, conductor 58, conductor-.57,

armature 51 and contact-52, and conductor 56 back tobattery 36. -Devices 14-aretherefore actuated to produce an indication which warns persons on the highway oflthe' ap proach of a train. When the-trainqhas cleared the highway and zone A, itspresence on zoneB causes'the winding of relay 26to be deenergized, while relay 22 is again energized. The closing of armature 42 upon contact 61 cannot ofitself complete an energizing circuitto either of the signaling devices 13 and 14, so that these devices are not actuated under such conditions.- Similarly if a train approaches in a differentdirection along track 12, asit enters zoneA relay 23 is deenergizedxto complete'the same energizing circuit for signaling devices 14 thru armature 53 andcontact54.

As a-second possible condition it is presumed that two trains are approaching the crossing at about the same time. If these trains are both present on zones A of tracks 11 and 12 at the same time, both relays 22 and 23 are 'deenergized. Signaling devices 14 are again actuated because of the completionof the energizing circuit previously traced. Another energizing circuit however is completed from battery 36 to the signaling devices 13, so that another and diiferent indication is eifected. This circuit can be traced as follows: from battery 36,-by way of conductor 38, conductor 32, thru devices 13, conductor 31, conductor 49, armature 47 and con.

tact 44 of relay 23, conductor43, armature T 41 and contact 59 ofrelay 22, armature 51 and contact 52 of relay;22, and conductor56 back .to battery36. .If both trains clear the crossing-at about the same time and are present upon zones B atthe same time, relays f devlcesql4 as b saf 2 M- ll? g iflrPi kJ P thei i rmat res and relaysj-26 and; 27; will be deenergized.

o v r eenergi atiqni 1 1 10 6 a 27 a ne; C n t qmr e e an: ;ene siZ g-.: it

tothe signaling devices, so that no; indication will be given'for this condition.

As a third sun ed that'a train ontrack 11 has cleared the crossing butv is still occupying zone B,

While a train is approaching on; the other" trackJa-nd has entered zone; A. Tl re t'rain entering I zone Ai of track 12 jmight not a be observed;by persons -approachinggon the devices 14 348 has been previously described.

Theenergizing. circuit for devices13'at this time can be traced as follows: from battery 36. by way of: conductor '38,:conductor 32,

' thru devices 13,i'conductor 31,.conductor 49-,

armature. 47 and contact 44 of relay. 23, con ductorr, 43, thru armature, 42 .and .contact 61 ofrrelay 26, conductor 57, thru armature. 53 contact. 5410f. relay 23, conductor 56 backto ibattery .36. Ifthe condition. is .re; versedi anda. train on track. 12 has cleared zonelA but is present in .zone B, and a-train is entering. zone A arms; 11' from adifi'ers ent direction,.relays 22 .and' 27 are deenergi'zed to complete. a circuitin-the same manner, fonsignalingdevices. 13,.while deenergization ofrelay '22 alone efi'ects actuation' of has been previously described It. is apparent from the above. description that my system; Will -provide adequate warningso thatapers'on' is definitely. apprised of the factthat acrossing is safe. The pres,- enceof one orlmore trains which have apparently cleared the:crossing cannot mislead oneirito making a dangerous crossing when devices 13 areproducing a characteristic indication-L V r In orde'nto provide an added factor of safety, the system. of Fig. 4 can be modified to,.the extent ofproviding means for continuing. actuationv of. signaling devices 13 'untiljthe' last. of two. or more trains have cleared the approachinggzones. Such an ar rangement 'is shown in Fig. 5in whichin addition to relays 22, 23, 26 and 27; I provide a: stick. magnetic" relay 6.6. W Relay J '66 has two armatures 67and '68 which cooperate. respectively ;With. 'contacts 69 and 71. Ar natures-4Zand 48 of relays 23 and 27re' spectivelyin this case; are both connected to'condu'ctor 772, which in turn is connected tn.-:one; dero'fy hezwind ng. f relay nd possible condition it is pre 32, thru to arrnaturefiz I Contact 69 is; connected to,

conductor- 57, and contact '71 is connected to conductor 56. y The other side of the. winding ofrelay 66 is connected'to battery'g3.6 by Wayof conductor .38.

To explain the mode. ofoperation of the circuit arrangement shown in Fig 5, .it ispre;

sumedthatratrain: has been presentjn one of zones A, saythat of tracl; ll atjthe same time that a train has;been present in zone B of with the arrangement of Fig when zone B is cleared and only, zone is: beingoc cupied, signaling devices 143; are no.5 longer track 6 12. As. has been previously explained, under -such; conditions ;bot h signal in}; devices '13 and 14 are actuate d-.-; However actuated, but devices .14 are. operated in the same manner v as when Warning; o f the. ap-

proach of a single train. With-.the arrangei ment of F ig.; 5 when both zones the two.corre-- I are occupiedsimultaneously, sponding.. elays., :for. example relays 22 and 27 are dee'ner ized. fthe'jse Deenergizationg relaysh'oweverresultsinthe:eempletionjof Y Y an energizing circuit to the ofrelay GG WhiCh canbe tracedas, foll ows g fnorn bat tery 3 6 .tlrruconductorBS, thewi 'ding.o f-relay 66:, conductor v of relay 27', conductor43, 'armature'Al -and contact wot-relay 22,;iai-rnature 5land contact 520i the fsainie rela dth-rneon.duetor 56 back, to-battery t lieflsameflfili l l er as in Fig. 4.: Now when zone. ;B citrack 12,-1.5;

cleared beiore'the clearingfofzone Aeiltrack 1 1, relay ,is' energized while rielayl 22 00151 tinuesto begdeenergized. Howeyerfsince the armaturesB'Z ;and 6. 8of;relay 66;;n e, clesed at V thistinie, the winding of this relay centinnes towbe energized. This'energizingicircuit can be. ac d W dns Con uc m limet m1 -{M d contact .69. of relay- 766; conductor 57, ar1natu re from batter-$36, :thru conductor 38,,

51 an d, contact 52 0i?" relay 22, an d conductor 56 back to..batteI-y .36. Energization oirela-y 27 While, relay .66, remains energizedfdces gnot result in, deenergization of, signaling devices 13, since a circuit is still completed tqithese devices and canbe traced gaszfollows from battery 36; thru. conductor 38,4 conductor picking up its. armature-51, theholdingor endevices 1 3., .conduetori J31, conduct .tor 7 4,,arn1ature 68 and contact. 71 of: .relay66,"

When zone 7 ergiZiIlg'circuit t-o the -winding of relay66 is interrnpted thus.causing thisrelaytodrop its ar naturesr H therefore deener gized, and-devices l4are likewise deen ergizediclireetly by energization of relay 22. as has been; previously: explained. It is a'pparent" that "the circuit iarrangements 59 s-: m dfi can b grea ly-m d fiedg-within; the; scope; of this; invention.

recle r strrm ts n enta ts nan-abs nt- ;;Signaling devices 13 are I an indication at the crossing responsiveto the ing in opposite directions in close succ'ession;'

or to protect a crossing where one train may closely followanother on the same track.

- I claim: V V 11.1 Arailway signaling system for a highway crossing, comprising means for efiecting approach of a single train, and means for efiecting' a different indication at the cross ing responsive to the approach of a plurality 01? trains, characteristics otherfthan the characteristics of the indication effected by and responsive to the approach of a single train.

' 2. rallway, s1gnaling system fora crossing over a' plurality of tracks, comprising means for effecting'an indication at the crossing responsivet'o'the approach of a train on any one of said tracks, and other means for :fiectingadifierent indication at the crossing responsive to the approachof a plurality of trains; a

3'. A railway system for a highway crossing, comprising means for efiecting an indication at thec'ro-ssin g responsive 'to the approach of-a single train, and other means for efiecting a different indication at the crossingresponsive to and characteristic only of the presenc'e of another train near the crossing while the first-named train is approaching.

" i 4. A railway signaling system for a high 7 way crossing, comprising mean-s for effecting an indication at the crossing responsive to the approach of a single train, and means for efi'ectinga difierent indication at the crossing responsive to the presence of another train which, has cleared the crossing but is adjacent the same while the first-namedtrain is approaching.

5. A railway signaling system for a high;

crossing, comprising means for effecting an lndicat on at the cross ng responsive to the approach of a single train, and means for effecting a different indication at the cross;

ing responsive-either to the approach of a plurality of trains. or to the presence of one or'more trains'which have cleared the crossingbut are adjacent to the same while one or more other trains are approaching;

6. A railway signalingisystem for-a highway crossing-, comprising means for efl'ecting an indication at the crossing responsive to the approach of a single train, means'foreiiecting a different indication at the crossing re-. sponsive to the presence of another train'near the crossing while the first-named train is approaching, and means for continuing said said different indication having difi'erent indication after it" is initiated as long as atrain is approaching thelcrossing'.

7. A'railway signaling system for ahighway crossing, "comprising means for effecting an indication at the crossing responsive to the approach of a single trainfmeansfor effecting a diiierent indication at the crossing responsive to'the presence of another train which has clearedthe crossing but is adjacent the same while the first-namedtrain is approaching, and means for continuing said different indication after it is initiated so long as a train is approaching the crossing. 8. A railway signaling systemfor ahighway crosslng, comprlsing means foretfectlng an indication at the crossing responsiveto the approach of a single train, means for effectin a sphnsive either to the approach of a plu rality of trains or tothe presence'of'one or more trains which have cleared the crossing but are adjacent'to the same while one or different indication at the crossing re more other trains are approaching, and means for continuing said difierent indicat on after it'is initiated so'long, as a train'isapproaching the crossing. H

9. In a railway s gnalinglsystem .forf a' highway crossing over a pair of parallel traeks,' a first signal'ng zone on each track near the crossing, a. second signaling zone on each track, means forreiiecting an indication at the crossing'responsiveto the presence of a trainon either one of 'saidfirst signaling zones,and means for eiiecting a diflerent indication at the crossing responsive to the presence of trains in both said first zones or to the presence of trains in the first and second zones oi'difiierent tracks 10, a railway signaling highway crossing over a; pair of parallel tracks, a first signaling zone on each track near the crossing, a second signaling zone on each track, means for eflectingan'indication at the crossing responsive to'the presence of a train on either one of said firstsignaling zones, and means for efiecting a different in;- dication' resp onsive to the presence of trains inbothsaid first zones or to the presence of trains in the first and second zones ofdifferent tracks, and means for continuing said difierent indication after it is initiated until the first zones have been cleared.

I "lliiln a railway. signaling systern for a ranged to' efi'ect operation of the signals during deenergization of the relay on any one of said track circuits, an auxiliary signal r'or the highway, a track circuit on each track beyond the highway and a control circuit for said system for a H circults, an auxlliary signal for the hlghway,

auxiliary of the auxiliary signal duringdeenerglzation of the relay on any one of said first named o each circuit adapted to be deenergized by a I train on the corresponding track portion, a control circuit for said signal arranged to effect operation of the signal during deenergization of the relay on any one of saidtrack a track circuit on each way, a control clrcult nal arranged to effect track beyond the highfor said auxiliary sigoperation of the auxiliary signal during'deenergization of the relay on any one of said first named track circuits when arelay on either track circuit on any other track is deenergized, and means whereby said last named control circuit'is maintained in signaling operating condition so long as the relay onany one of said first named track circuits is deencrgized.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand. v

signal arranged to efl'ect display PARKVBHYDE, 

